Duterte's pivot away from US, timely and significant

The dramatic improvement in the relationship between China and the Philippines has raised a lot of eyebrows in the West, but it is definitely in the best interests of the two neighbors as well as those of other nations in Southeast Asia.

On Friday, in his latest indication of his goodwill toward China, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte told the Philippine Star that he is considering making a second visit to China. While earlier this month in Lima, Peru, when meeting with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting, the Philippine leader also said his country is willing to be friends with "brotherly" China forever.

Since taking office, Duterte has been matching words with deeds to turn a new page in his country's relationship with China. His commitment to putting his country's relationship with China back on the right track has won him much applause in both countries.